Buenos Aires Ezeiza: Why This City Actually Has Two Different Airports

Getting there, at a glance

Amenities, at a glance

Ministro Pistarini International Airport (IATA: EZE), commonly known as Ezeiza, is Argentina’s main international gateway and the primary long-haul hub of Aerolíneas Argentinas. EZE handled 11.1 million passengers in 2024, a 7.5% increase on the year before, according to Argentina’s civil aviation authority (ANAC). It sits about 35 km southwest of central Buenos Aires.

Overview

EZE operates as Buenos Aires’s international airport — and understanding that distinction matters: Buenos Aires is one of the relatively few major cities that splits its air traffic across two separate airports. Ezeiza handles nearly all international long-haul flights, while Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), a much smaller airport right in the city center, handles most domestic and regional flights. Booking the wrong one is a genuinely common and costly mistake for travelers unfamiliar with the city.

Terminals

EZE operates around Terminal A, the main international terminal, handling Aerolíneas Argentinas’ long-haul network alongside other international carriers serving Buenos Aires.

Airlines

Aerolíneas Argentinas, the national carrier, operates its principal international hub at EZE, with long-haul routes to Europe, North America, and other destinations in Latin America, alongside a wide range of international carriers connecting Buenos Aires to the rest of the world. Most of the airline’s domestic network, by contrast, operates out of Aeroparque (AEP) instead.

Getting There

• Tienda León shuttle bus: 15–20 USD, direct to central Buenos Aires, about 45 minutes — the most popular and reliable option.
• Remis / official taxi: 35–45 USD via the official counter, about 40–50 minutes depending on traffic. Prices here are often quoted in USD given the Argentine peso’s significant volatility.
• Uber: Generally comparable in price to a remis, about 40–50 minutes.

Prices above are approximate and subject to change — Argentina’s currency has historically been volatile, so always check current fares with Tienda León or your rideshare app before booking.

Security and Passport Control Wait Times

• Regional flights: Security plus immigration for most South American routes. Typically 20–30 minutes during off-peak hours, up to 35–50 minutes during busy periods.
• International flights: Security plus passport control. Typically 25–40 minutes during off-peak hours, up to 45–65 minutes during peak international departure banks.
• EZE handles a high volume of long-haul departures — budget extra time during Aerolíneas Argentinas’ peak banks.

Parking

The terminal has adjacent short- and long-stay parking, with clear signage.

Wifi

Free wifi is available in the terminal with a time-limited free session.

Best Times to Arrive

• Regional flights: Arrive 2 hours before departure.
• International flights: Arrive 3 hours before departure, especially during Aerolíneas Argentinas’ peak long-haul departure banks.
• Double-check which of Buenos Aires’s two airports your flight actually uses before planning your transfer — EZE and AEP are roughly 40 km apart.

Where to Eat

EZE has a good selection of Argentine cuisine alongside international chains, spread across the terminal.

Airport Hotel

EZE doesn’t have a full-service hotel inside the terminal, but My Pod Capsule Boutique genuinely is inside it, tucked between international terminals A and C — capsule-style rooms with showers, changing rooms, and coworking space, bookable in 3, 6, 9, or 12-hour blocks. It’s a smart option for a long layover without leaving security.

Lounges

• The Aerolíneas Argentinas VIP Lounge is available for eligible business class passengers, elite status holders, or paid access.
• Several Priority Pass-affiliated lounges are also available.

Duty-Free Shopping

EZE’s duty-free area includes a strong selection of Argentine wine and leather goods alongside the usual international fashion, cosmetics, and electronics brands.

Airport Map

This is a simplified layout for orientation — for precise gate-by-gate navigation, use the official Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 resources.

Useful Links

• Official airport website (Aeropuertos Argentina 2000) — terminal information, services, live flight status.
• Tienda León — shuttle fares and schedules.

Layover Tips

• With 6 hours or more and a visa situation that allows entry, central Buenos Aires is reachable via the Tienda León shuttle in about 45 minutes.
• If staying airside, EZE’s lounges and dining reflect Argentina’s strong culinary reputation — worth exploring even on a shorter connection.
• If your onward trip involves a domestic flight, confirm well in advance whether it departs from EZE or from Aeroparque (AEP) — transferring between the two takes over an hour and is a common trip-planning mistake.